METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE PROXIMAL MOVEMENT OF BLOOD OR LYMPH

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to devices configured to assist the flow of fluids in the body. The device comprises a covering for placing on the skin of a patient having protrusions which can contact the skin. The protrusions have a base proximal to a surface of the covering and an outer edge distal to the surface of the covering. Protrusions can be configured in an array, in a line perpendicular to desired fluid flow or in a spiral configuration, such that fluid flow is enhanced in the appropriate direction. The device can be configured as a prosthesis, an orthotic, a liner for a prosthesis or orthotic, or a wrap or covering that is positioned around a body part. The body part can be part of a lower limb, part of an upper limb, or other body part.

Claims

1. A fluid flow assist device having: a top edge, a bottom edge positioned opposite the top edge, two side edges connecting the top and bottom edges, and a surface having an exterior and interior surface; the interior surface comprising a plurality of protrusions having a base proximal to the interior surface and an apex distal to the interior surface, each protrusion having a top and bottom surface with the top surface of the protrusions facing the top edge of the device and the bottom surface of the protrusion facing the bottom edge of the device, the bottom surface of the protrusions is substantially perpendicular to the interior surface and the top surface of the protrusions slopes towards the top edge from the apex to the interior surface forming a wedge shape, wherein as the interior surface of the device moves toward and contacts a body part positioned in the lumen of the device the apex of the protrusion makes first contact with the body part followed progressively by the slope of the top surface of the protrusions where a progressively increasing pressure is exerted by the protrusion on the body fluid contained in the body part moving the body fluid towards the top edge of the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a prosthetic socket or a prosthetic socket liner.

3. (canceled)

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a configured as a cover that is pulled over or positioned around a body part.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the body part is a residual limb.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the body part is a foot, calf, thigh, leg, hand, wrist, forearm, upper arm, or arm.

7. (canceled)

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the covering is configured as a wrap having a first and second side edges that are configured to be attached to each other to form the lumen.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first and second side edges comprise a hook and loop portion for attaching the side edges.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are configured to be moveable towards the surface of the device when the edge is in contact with skin or a limb covering.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the movement of the protrusions is coordinated with the heart-beat.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein each protrusion is independently moveable relative to other protrusions.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are configured as linear bands, spiral bands, or an array of protrusions.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the size of the protrusions are heterogeneous.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein spatial distribution of the protrusions is irregular.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an orthotic or an orthotic liner.

17. (canceled)

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the orthotic is a configured as a covering that is pulled over or positioned around a body part.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the body part is a foot, calf, thigh, leg, hand, wrist, forearm, upper arm, or arm.

20. (canceled)

21. The device of claim 16, wherein the orthotic is configured as a wrap having a first and second side edges that are configured to be attached to each other to form the lumen.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the protrusions are configured as linear bands, spiral bands, or an array of protrusions.

23. (canceled)

24. The device of claim 16, wherein spatial distribution of the protrusions is irregular.

25. A fluid assist device comprising: a body that forms a lumen to receive a body part having a top and a bottom; and a fluid assist surface having an interior surface facing the lumen of the body, the interior surface having a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion having a top and bottom surface, the top surface of the protrusion facing the top of the body and the bottom surface of the protrusion facing the bottom of the body, wherein the top surface slopes towards the top of the body and the bottom surface is substantially perpendicular to the interior surface forming a wedge shape protrusion that is configured to provide a progressively increasing pressure exerted on body fluids to move the body fluid towards the top of the device.

26.-30. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specification embodiments presented herein.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment in which the inner walls of a prosthesis, orthotic, or lymphatic-treatment device are manufactured in a way that exploits the natural pressures from contacting the skin during everyday activities. The resulting pressure, promotes proximal (upward in these examples) movement of body fluids because of the shape of the protrusions. Two example shapes for the protrusions are shown (Frames 1 and 2) and for each, a view is shown when the skin is not touching the sides of the device (a) or when the skin is touching the walls of the device (b).

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates examples of another embodiment in which the protrusion is manufactured in a way and with a material such that the protrusions can move laterally as they contact the wearer's skin. In 1-a, the protrusion (A) is hinged (B) and a spring (C) exerts lateral pressure toward the skin; in 1-b, there is no hinge, but the material used in the protrusion is flexible, moving laterally but returning to its original orientation when not in contact with the skin. The bottom two figures depict how the device shown in 1-a would perform when not touching or when touching the wearer's skin.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration of still another embodiment in which a plate containing protrusions is mechanically moved in a direction away from the outer surface toward the wearer's skin.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of one embodiment of a prosthetic socket receiving a residual limb.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a hydraulically actuated device to enhance fluid flow.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a mechanically actuated device to enhance fluid flow.

DESCRIPTION

[0036] After oxygen and nutrients are transferred to the body's cells, blood is collected and transported back to the heart through the venous system. Returning the blood to the heart from the lower extremities is more difficult because much of the pulsing pressure from the heart is reduced after the blood goes through the small capillaries and because gravity must be overcome, unless the person is lying down. Assisting this process, the veins have valves, which keep the blood moving proximally (toward the heart), i.e., to prevent it from flowing distally (away from the heart) after a pulse has pushed it forward. The importance of these valves has been known for some time; poorly functioning valves are associated with serious venous conditions/diseases. Until recently, the valves were thought to only reside in the larger veins, but recent research has shown that there are numerous such valves in the very small veins that reside more peripherally—closer to the capillaries.

[0037] There is a need for devices, drugs, or other interventions that can promote/augment/replace (i.e., assist) the process when the valves are not working correctly or when key components are missing. An example of the latter is the return of blood in a lower-limb amputee. In the normal leg, the calf muscle often is called the body's “second heart” because the mechanical pressures on veins created by contraction/relaxation of the calf muscles (e.g., while walking), can provide the force necessary to push the blood proximally (i.e., force from the calf muscle exerted perpendicular to a healthy vein is translated into proximal movement of the blood, partly because the venous valves prevent distal movement). In a lower extremity amputee (e.g., a transtibial amputee), such muscle activity is dramatically reduced—if not eliminated—resulting in potentially poorer blood return, even if the valves are working properly. Hence, any assistance in moving the blood proximally back towards the heart would be beneficial to an amputee or anyone whose venous valves are not functioning properly. The present method and apparatus replace or augment the perpendicular pressures, which normally are applied to veins and lymph vessels by muscle activity, with similar pressures applied by an external apparatus as described herein. In addition, research has suggested that it is intermittent pressure, as opposed to constant pressure, that is the most effective method for moving fluids in body tissues, so various aspects of the invention attempt to maximize the opportunity for a variety of intermittent external pressures to be applied to the tissue.

[0038] A parallel situation exists in the lymphatic system. Valves in the lymph vessels keep the lymph moving proximally, and this process is essential in removing waste materials from interstitial fluid. The perpendicular pressure source for the lymphatic vessels comes from the contraction/relaxation of neighboring muscles (as in the venous system), and from periodic contractions in the lymph vessels themselves. Failure of the lymphatic system to properly move lymph proximally can result in lymphedema, a potentially serious condition. Hence, any assistance in moving the lymph proximally would be beneficial to a patient with edema or lymphedema.

[0039] Various embodiments address the general objective of moving blood or lymph proximally. In certain aspects the embodiments are a “passive” form. In certain aspects the device can be positioned on the inside wall of a prosthetic device, orthotic device, or limb encasement (for lymphedema) in a way that promotes proximal fluid movement. Certain embodiments are designed to be worn while a patient moves naturally during activities of daily living, and take advantage of the natural forces that occur during such activities (e.g., while walking). Other embodiments take a more dynamic approach to applying such forces to a device worn by the patient during daily activities.

[0040] Embodiments are designed to increase proximal flow of the blood or lymph by applying pressure perpendicular to the veins or lymphatic vessels in a body extremity. Additional pressure augments the natural forces applied to the vessels (e.g., pressure on both veins and lymphatic vessels from muscle action and pressure created inside the lymphatic vessels by the periodic contraction of the smooth muscles in their walls). While additional pressure will not repair broken/missing valves, it can improve the efficiency of partially functioning valves by providing more fluid throughput and by maximizing the effectiveness of any normally functioning valves (e.g., by driving the fluid far enough proximally that it passes a normally functioning valve).

[0041] An example of one embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1. Both frames show a cross-sectional view of the wall of a prosthesis/orthotic/lymphedemic device having protrusions on the interior surface of the device and the skin of the wearer, when the device is not touching the wearer's skin (1-a and 2-a) and when natural body movement causes the skin to touch the device (1-b and 2-b). The two forms differ in the shape of the manufactured “protrusions,” but the point is that they both provide pressure perpendicular to proximal flow (upward) when the skin touches them and their shape systematically pushes the fluid proximally as more pressure is applied because of their wedge-like shape. Other methods have been taught where perpendicular pressure is indiscriminately applied to the limb, which may apply pressure on the fluid to move it distally, potentially damaging healthy valves located distal to the point of pressure. Research has suggested that it is intermittent pressure, as opposed to constant pressure, that is the most effective method for moving fluids in body tissues.

[0042] In certain embodiments of the devices described herein the protrusions can be manufactured in concentric circles, in spirals, or individually at various locations. In certain aspects the presence, shape, location, and prominence of the protrusions are based on what is known of the physiology of the vascular and lymphatic system in the affected regions (e.g., there are fewer and less prominent protrusions in the anterior side of the tibia (so as to not provide such pressure on that bone), and more, and more prominent protrusions at anatomical sites where major veins or lymph vessels are located. The shape of the protrusions can help keep the device in position on a subject. As shown in FIG. 1, the hook- or wedge-like protrusions reduce the chance of the device slipping downward. Applicants note that while some of the figures and discussion make reference to the edges of the apparatus touching the “skin,” it should be noted that this should be interpreted as directly touching the skin or indirectly touching the skin through a prosthetic liner, covering, sleeve, sock, etc. Furthermore, while the protrusions shown in the figures are all of the same height, in some embodiments the actual heights of the protrusions might change from site to site as a function of the peripheral depth of the target blood or lymph vessel(s) those sites.

[0043] In certain embodiments the protrusions can be configured to allow some lateral movement (with the most movement allowed in the distal “thickest” portion of the protrusion). FIG. 2 presents two representative examples of this approach (1-a and 1-b). In 1-a, the protrusion (A) is hinged at a pivot point (B) to the side of the device, and a spring or other component with elastic properties (C) is provided to force the protrusion against the skin as the wearer performs everyday activities. In form 1-b, there is no specific pivot point, but the protrusion is manufactured in a way (e.g., as a flap) and with a material that allows inherent lateral “spring-like” movement of the protrusion as it comes in contact with the skin. The pivoting approach depicted in 1-a is further shown in the context of its relationship with the prosthetic device and the wearer's skin when the protrusion is not touching the wearer's skin (2-a) and when it is touching the skin (2-b). In this aspect the protrusions are flexible and will cause less irritation on the skin at the points where contact is made. Such embodiment can be used when the subject suffers from dermatological or neurological problems.

[0044] In certain aspects a device described herein can be used in a prosthesis worn by a lower-limb amputee to promote blood and lymph flow. In other aspects a device as described herein can be used in other populations/settings such as lower-limb non-amputees, upper limb amputees, upper limb non-amputees, patients with lymphedema, etc.

[0045] In still other embodiments a more dynamic apparatus is designed to augment the natural forces exerted while patients move about and perform activities of daily living. In certain aspects a device incorporates a plate with a surface that contains protrusions as described above and a mechanism for periodically forcing that surface against a subject's skin. In certain aspects force can be systematically applied in a controlled manner. FIG. 3 provides examples of the more dynamic form of the device. In both examples (top and bottom), cross-sectional illustrations depict how a plate (A) with one surface containing protrusions (D—as described above) is mechanically moved in a direction away from the exterior surface of the device or a supporting device such as a prosthetic socket or encasing (B) and toward the wearer's skin (C). In the top example, the plate is moved from an initial location close to the socket (as shown in 1-a) toward the user's skin in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the user's skin (as shown in 1-b). In the bottom example, the plate is hinged to the socket or casing at distal end, so that its movement from an initial location close to the socket (as in 2-a), to a later location contacting the surface of the user's skin (as in 2-b), initially applies more pressure distally and with pressure being progressively applied in the proximal direction. The distal pivot point in the design depicted in FIGS. 3 (2a) and (2b) is intended to further increase the “milking” movement of fluids because the individual movement effected by each protrusion is joined by a general distal-to-proximal movement for the entire surface. In both cases, movements of the plate toward the skin as illustrated from 1-a to 1-b and from 2-a to 2-b are followed by movements back to the starting position from 1-b to 1-a and from 2-b to 2-a, and the resulting cycles are repeated over time.

[0046] Movements of the plates can be effected by mechanical devices (e.g., actuators, solenoids, etc.) or by introducing/removing pressure in the volume between the socket and the plate (E—e.g., air or fluid pressure/vacuum created by an external source or by capturing energy from the user's action, as commonly utilized in current “vacuum-assisted” prostheses to help keep the prosthetic device on). Cyclic movement toward and away from the user's skin can be periodic, can be independent of the actions of the user, can be synchronized with user's body movements, or can be synchronized with the wearer's pulse.

[0047] In the case of a prosthetic device for a lower limb, it could be advantageous to initiate a sequence of applying pressure to the skin (i.e., 1-a to 1-b and 2-a to 2-b) during the very late stage of stance and very early stage of swing, so that the resulting pressure between the socket and the skin is maximal during the subsequent swing phase, helping hold the socket on while gravity and centrifugal forces work to doff the socket. Movement of the plates away from the skin (i.e., 1-b back to 1-a and 2-b back to 2-a) can be initiated by heel strike of the residual limb and the plate remains in a neutral location during most of the stance phase (when the patient's weight is sufficient to keep the socket in place).

[0048] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate the operation of hydraulically or mechanically actuated flow enhancement prosthesis as a wearer moves. During leg swing the pylon is under low compression and is positioned in an extended configuration, moving outward from the base of the prosthesis. Movement of the pylon reduces the hydraulic or mechanical force applied to the plate that is operatively coupled to the base at a pivot point that allows movement of the plate to or from the surface of the residual limb that is positioned in the prosthetic socket of the prosthesis. The reduction in force allows the plate move toward the long axis of the prosthesis and contact the residual limb. During standing the pylon is under high compression and the force causes the pylon to contract or move inward. The inward movement exerts hydraulic or mechanical force on the plate causing the plate to move away from the residual limb and reduce the pressure of contact between the residual limb and the plate.

[0049] Alternatively, activation of the mechanism that forces the plate toward the skin could be synchronized with the wearer's pulse so that, for example, the resulting proximal movement of blood back toward the heart is consistent with the natural cardiovascular cycle and so that pressures are not being externally applied which could interfere with the natural arterial proximal-to-distal movement of blood toward the peripheral regions of the limb.